A total of 328 Wexford seniors have received a personal alarm since 2015.

Recently the Department of Rural and Community Development allocated €2.3 million for the renewed Seniors Alert Scheme, which comes into effect on November 1.

Minister Paul Kehoe said: 'Some 328 local senior citizens have received personal alarms in the last two years.

'I am delighted to announce that this scheme will be extended to even more people locally thanks to a new range of measures. From this year on, you no longer have to be living alone in order to qualify for the scheme.

'This measure exists with the support of local voluntary groups and if users feel in danger or require immediate assistance they can activate the device which will alert designated members of their community who can then assist them.

'There is free personal monitoring of the alarm for the first 12 months after which the person pays a small fee. This measure contributes greatly to the safety and wellbeing of senior citizens in their homes.

When the user activates the personalised alarm it puts a call through to the national call centre which is open 24/7 365 days a year.

Alarms, which are monitored 24 hours, can be worn as a pendant or around the wrist like a watch; ensuring assistance is always available.